From 18th Nov. to 20th Nov, Li Changchun, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, visited Cape Town with the CPC Delegation.

On 19th Nov, Li Changchun made a speech about the peaceful development of China and for strengthening of Sino-SA cooperation at a banquet held by MIH.

Li Changchun introduced the great achievements made by China in its economic and social development in the past 27 years of reform and opening-up and great challenges China faces in various fields.

Li Changchun emphasized that the route of peaceful development that China is pursueing is a natural choice of the real conditions of the country, its historical and cultural tradition and the current trend of the world. The peaceful development means that China will strive to create a peaceful international environment for its own development, while promoting world peace with its own development. China will always be a steadfast force for maintaining world peace and promoting common development.

China will mainly rely on its own strength to achieve development through reform and innovations. In the meantime, China will stick to its national policy of opening up to the outside world so as to achieve mutual benefits and win-win results by cooperating and exchanging with other countries.

Li Changchun also pointed out that it is the right time to strengthen cooperation between China and South Africa. The reasons are following:

Both China and South Africa are developing countries that have important influences in their respective regions, facing the common tasks and goals.

Cooperation between China and South Africa enjoys a solid political foundation.

The two economies are highly complementary and share great potential of cooperation. We are fully confident about the prospect of trade and economic cooperation between China and South Africa.

He called for the business circles of South Africa to seize the current opportunity in expanding Sino-South Africa cooperation, participating in the cause of strengthening friendship and expanding economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.

Business leaders and senior executives from more than 10 renowned companies in South Africa, including MIH, Pan Africa Capital Holding and other distinguished scholars, attended the dinner.

Li Changchun also met with staff members of the Chinese Consulate-General in Cape Town.

On 20th Nov, Li Changchun went aboard and warmly greeted the scientists and crews of "DaYangYiHao", the Chinese scientific research ship berthed in Cape Town Harbor. Mr.Shi Weiqiang, Consul-General of the Chinese Consulate-General in Cape Town, accompanied H.E.Mr.Li hangchun 's presence.